Radio tube tester



Oct. 1940- R. L. TRIPLETT RADIO TUBE TESTER Filed Sept. 21, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ray 12. TRIPLETT,

Oct. 15. 1940. R. L. TRIPLETT 2,217,925

RADIO TUBE TESTER Filed Sept. 21, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVEN 'T'OD HY L. TDIDLETT Filed Sept. 21, 1938 Sheets-Sheet 3 K15 V JNVENTOR QHY LTDIPLETT BY as ab 1- a? Arrow/vans Oct. 15. 1940. R TRjPLETT 2,217,925

RADIO TUBE TESTER Filed Sept. 21, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jmwn/tm/ ifi y LTRIPLETT,

won/09M Oct. 15, 1940. R. L.TR1PLETT RADIO TUBE TESTER Filed Sept. 21, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 u w m 7 7% W J 3 Mr? 1 "W jnn H IL ES Q Oct. 15, 1940. R. 1.. TRIPLETT 2,217,925

RADIO TUBE TESTER Filed Sept. 21, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I'lgJZ HTTOQNE Y5 Oct. 15, 1940. R, L, TRIPLETT 2,217,925

RADIO TUBE TESTER Filed Sept. 21. 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 154 Trig 14 175 HTTOPNEYS Patented Oct. 15, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAD IO TUBE TESTER Ray L. Triplett, Blufiton, Ohio Application September 21, 1938, Serial No. 231,028

5 Claims.

My invention relates to a radio tube tester.

,It is the object of this invention to provide a quick and easy method for testing radio tubes,

radio circuits and other similar mechanisms and 5 circuits.

It is the object of my invention to provide a radio tube tester, in which a place is provided for the mounting of the tube to be tested, an indicator for indicating the condition of the tube, and a series of selector buttons which can be selectively actuated to bring various testing circuits in circuit with the tube to be tested, and a movable selection indicator, the positioning of which opposite the indicating designation of type of tube being tested will indicate the buttons to be pressed so as to adequately test the particular tube being tested.

In view of the fact that there are a variety of difierent types of tubes to be tested, each having difierent characteristics, there has been provided a movable chart adapted to be unrolled beneath an indicating hairline, and on this chart each tube is successively designated and, opposite each designation in line therewith, there is indicated the numerals or letters which designate the particular buttons that must be pressed in order to close or open, as the case may be, the testing circuits to test that particular tube.

It is an object of this invention to arrange this selection indicator, the testing circuit buttons and switches and indicating mechanism in, such a combination as to permit of a ready selection and operation of the circuits necessary for testmg.

. It is a further object to so align the selection indicator that the numerical or lettered indications thereon will be opposite the column of buttons which control the several circuits for the 40 several tubes in each class of tests.

It is an object to group the circuits, selector switches and actuating buttons so that the buttons are arranged in columns, preferably in a predetermined location over the numbers of the buttons inthat particular column opposite each of the tube designations so that the operator need only select the number under the hairline under the column, a button of which is to be pressed and to press the button so numbered in the column 50 like that under the column and under the hairline on the selection indicator.

It is a further object to provide a plurality of circuits for test purposes which are adaptedto utilize certain common features as indicating load, line voltage, etc. and a common indicator on which the various circuits, as they are selected,

readings.

front or top of the testback thereof; on the line 33 of Figure 1,

the arrows;

on the line 4-4 of Figure 3,

the arrows;

elevation of a part of the instrument, showing an alternative form of indicator;

Figure 6 is a section in the direction of the arr Figure 7 is a section on on the line 6-6, looking ows, of Figure 3; the line 1-'!, looking in the direction of the arrows, of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section in the direction of the Figure 9 is a wiring .di

on the line 88, looking arrows, of Figure 6;

agram showing one of the possible wiring diagrams embodying the invention herein;

Figure 10 is an alterna Figure 11 is a top Figure 12 is a front tive wiring diagram;

plan View of a portion of the key switchboard showing the master release key;

elevation of the switchboard showing the arrangement of the master Figure 13 is a side elevation thereof, showing the master key mechanism and the switches in their uppermost position;

Figure 14 is a similar View showing them in their lowered position; and

Figure 15 is a rear board.

The ordinary tube filament, volts,

Referring to elevation of the switchtester requires a setting of load controls and other variables. the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figure l, the instrument comprises a front panel I which is and end walls 3. This p the following mechanism. line cable 4 leads in the power lines 6 and l. a. grid cap 46a.

Sockets 8, 9, [0, H, I2 and provided with side walls 2 anel serves to support The incoming power alternating current The cable 5 terminates in I3 are provided for the mounting of different types of tubes to be tested. Sockets l2 and I3 that one socket is a spar ment is designed for the purpose of tubes as diode, amplifier,

It is only necessary for a tube to be tested, the sockets 8, 9, I0, ll, rotates the handwheel l are duplicates so e socket. This instrutesting such battery and rectifier.

the operator to select which is placed in one 01 I2 and I3. He then 4 which actuates the shaft i5. On this shaft is a master gear l6 which meshes with gears l1 and I8 that are respectively mounted on the shafts l9 and 20.

Each of these shafts carries a drum 2|, on which is wound a roll of indicating material such as a sheet of paper 22 that has a series of aligned designations.

These designations include tube type numbers and other information by which the operator can ascertain the proper button in each group to press for a given tube under test. The panel is cut-away and provided with a cover glass 3| over the cut-away portion. The hairline 30 is drawn along the glass. The out-away portion is of a size sufficient to permit only a single aligned group of designations to be visible through the opening behind the glass panel 3! for each adjustment of the knob 14.

Reading from left to right, the first column of buttons is the circuit selector column; the secnd column of buttons is the filament selector column No. 1; the third column of buttons is the filament selector column No. 2; the fourth column of buttons is the circuit return column; the fifth column of buttons is the filament volt column, and the sixth column of buttons is the line volt column.

Directly above the column 23 on a sheet 22 is a load indicator comprising a button 31a which operates a rheostat control which is provided with a scale 32. 33 indicates a pointer over the scale. All of the selector buttons in the several columns are connected in conventional tube tester circuits, of which there may be a great number and variety.

This invention does not deal with the particular circuit which may be employed and controlled by the several buttons. The control button 3la is used to adjust to zero when testing for ohms.

For instance, reading from left to right, the extreme lefthand column, indicated at 23, indicates the ohms zero adjustment. The column 25 is the volt-ohm-mflliammeter column. The column 26 is the A. C. volt column; the column 24 indicates the tube designation identifying the particular type of tube to be tested; the column 21 is the ohms-hi-lo column; the column 28 is the D. C. volt column, and the column 29 is the inilliammeter column.

Among the buttons in the circuit selector column 34 is the VOMA button 35 which is to be pressed. In the column of buttons for the filament selector No. l, designated 36, either 10, 50, 250, 500 or 1000 volts can be indicated on the meter 31 by pressing the respective buttons 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d and 366, and by buttons 36 and 36g.

This test for A. C. voltage is selectively arranged according to which of the buttons in column 36 is pressed. The buttons in the filament selector column No. 2, which column is designated 38, are used for testing either high or low ohms. If low ohms are to be tested, then the button marked low No. 39 is pressed, and the resistance to be measured is connected in the low ohms jack 43. If high ohms are to be tested, then button 4!, 42 or 43 is pressed. In such an event, the resistance to be measured is connected in the two jacks marked 44. The remaining buttons 43a, 43b and 430 of this column of control filament terminal push buttons may be utilized as indicated in the circuit of Figure 9.

Likewise, when D. C. volts are to be measured, the button switches in the series marked 45 are pressed according to the measurements to be taken, which are 10, 50, 250, 500 and 1000 D. C., as represented by buttons 46, 41, 48, 49 and 50, 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d. These tester buttons in this column are used to return the proper cathode and other elements to the secondary transformer 13, and to test for shorts by placing necessary elements in circuit with the opposite transformer 14.

If milliamperes are to be measured, then the buttons in the column designated 5|, such as buttons 52, 53, 54 and 55, are depressed for one milliampere, l0 milliamperes, 50 milliamperes and 250 milliamperes, respectively. The buttons in this column, which control the filament voltage selector switches, are used as follows: button 52 for 1.5 volts, button 53 for 2 volts, button 54 for 2.5 volts, button 55 for 3.3 volts, button 55a for 5 volts, button 55b for 6.3 volts, button 550 for 7.5 volts, button 55d for 12.6 volts, and button 556 for 25 volts.

In order to correct line voltage fluctuations, the switch buttons in column 56 are depressed to bring the line voltmeter indicated on the dial 31 at 51, to the center marking as thus indicated at the top of the metal scales. controlled by these buttons are so arranged in such circuits that the line volts increase from button 12 towards button 64. For clarity, the button and its switch arm, in all these cases, is given the same number or number and letter.

Thus the switches are so arranged that, according to their functions, at least two switches are required in each column. When one switch is depressed fully, any one which has been depressed previously will be released in that group, I

or a general clearance switch is utilized, as illustrated in Figure 11. These are standard switches and need none other than a general description, as they are standard in the market. The tube testing circuits can be any which are commonly employed in tube testing devices such as emission, dynamic mutual conductance, power output, etc. Various other tests and combinations of circuits may be used for measuring voltages, amperes, resistances, capacities, inductances, etc. for set testing. Heretofore, such circuits were complicated and their operation difficult and confusing in connection with the wide variety of tubes on the market to be tested.

A detail description of typical circuits follows hereinafter so that this invention may be completely understood in its adaptation to one or more circuits.

When any of the buttons in the line volt column 56 are depressed, the line voltage indications will be indicated according to the button depressed. When the proper button is depressed, the indication on the meter 31 will be on the line to indicate the proper line voltage setting. A separate meter for line volts may also be used. It is attached to back of meter 31 and the needle moves over the small upper portion of the dial of meter 31.

Within this meter 31 is also the neon light indicator 58 for indicating the results of short tests. This neon light shows through the lower portion of the dial of the indicating instrument 31.

On the panel I, after the S button 59 is pressed, the buttons 46, 41, 48, 49, 50, 50a, 50b,

50c and 50d in row 45 are successively depressed,

one at a time. If any inter-element short exists in the tube, it will then be indicated on the neon tube 58. The buttons 60, 6|, 62 and 63 are used to actuate the switches associated therewith, hereinafter described. The button closes the The switches ,6Ib and 6Ic.

switches 60a and 60b. Both ofthese switches are closed when button 60 is depressed. When button 6| is depressed, it actuates three switches 6 Id, When button 62 is depressed, it actuates four switches 62a, 62b, 62c and 62d. When button 63 is depressed, it actuates four switches 63a, 63b, 63c and 63d. These several buttons'60, 6|, 62 and 63 operate switches for closing circuits for different types of tubes.

Button 60 operates the circuits for an amplifier tube, button 6I the circuits for a battery tube, button 62 the circuits for a rectifier tube, and button 63 for a diode tube. Button 59 controls the short test. Button 60 controls an amplifier test, button 6| controls the battery test; button 62 controls a rectifier test, and button 63 controls a diode tube test.

The buttons in column 56 are designated 64, 65, 66, 61, 68, 69, 10, H and 12.

Turning to the diagram in Figure 9, the incoming A. C. lines 6 and 1 are connected to a suitable source. The line 1 is connected to a transformer having a primary winding 15, from core 16, and secondary windings 13, 14 and 86, which are connected to the tube under test. The windings of the primary are connected respectively by the lines 11,16,19, 80, 8|, 82, 83, 84 and 85 to the terminals for the switches 64, 65, 66, 61, 68, 69, 10, H and 12. The other side of these switches is connected to the A. C. line 6.

The filament secondary 86 is connected by the wire 81 and 88 to the emission load transformer secondary 13. The secondary winding 14 is the short secondary. The line 89 which is connected to the line 81 is connected to the switch terminals 90 of switch 36a, 9| of switch 361), 92 of switch 360, 93 of switch 36d, terminal 94 of switch 36c, terminal 95 of switch 36 and terminal 96 of switch 360. The remaining terminals of these several switches are connected as follows. Terminal 91 is connected to switch 39; terminal 98 is connected to switch 4|; terminal 99 is connected to switch 42; terminal I00 is connected to switch 43, and terminal IOI is connected to switch 43a. Terminal I02 is connected to switch 43b, while terminal I03 is connected to switch 430.

The other terminals of switches 39 to 430 inclusive are connected together by the wire I04 so that the respective switches .39 to 43d are provided with terminals I05, I06, I01, I08, I09, IIO, III and H2 respectively. The opposite terminals of such switches are arranged as follows: terminal H3 is connected to switch 40; terminal H4 is connected to switch 49; terminal H5 is connected to switch 50; terminal I I6 is connected to switch 50a; terminal I I1 is connected to switch 50b; terminal H8 is connected to switch 500; and terminal H9 is connected to switch 50d.

The line I 04 is connected to the respective switches 52, 53, 54, 55, 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d and 55a. These switches, in turn, are adapted to be connected to the terminals connected to the lines I20, I2I, I22, I23, I24, I25, I26, I21 and I28 respectively. These lines are tapped in, on the windings of the transformer secondary 86.

The A. C. line 1 has connected therein a resistor I29 for 50 volt tubes. This resistormay not be used, but instead the transformer can have an additional 50 volt secondary tap. This line I is connected to the switch 43d. The switch 46 is connected to the grid cap 46a.

The wire I04 is connected to the switches 52, 53, 54, 55, 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d and 55e. The wire I30 is adapted to be brought in circuit with the switches 46, 48, 49, 50, 50a, 50b, 50c= and 50d. The other end of this wire I30 is connected at I 3I to the wire I53, these two wires interconnecting the switches 62c and 62d.

The indicating instrument 31 is connected, on one side through wire I66 to the switch 63d. This instrument is connected on the other side through wire I 32 to the meter compensator for battery tubes I33 that is, in turn, connected to the switch 6Ib. It is also connected to the meter compensator for amplifier and rectifier tubes I34, that is connected to the switch 6217. This switch is connected by the wire I35 to the switch 60b. The line I32 is also connected to the meter compensator for diode tubes I36, that is connected to switch 63b.

The switches 60b, 6Ib, 62b and 63b are connected by a common line I31, one end of which adjustably engages the amplifier and rectifier tube load and tube calibration I38. This device I38 is connected by the wire I39 to switches 60a, 6Ia, 62a and 63a. The other side of the resistance I38 is connected by the wire I40 to the switch 6Ic. The other side of this switch is connected by the wire I4I to the battery tube load resistance I42 which is also connected to the wire I40. There is connected to one side of I42 the line voltage indicator I43, one end of which is connected by wire I44 to MI and I42 and the other side is connected through the line indicator adjustment I45 to the wire I46, as connected to the switch 630.

The switch 59 is adapted to engage the terminal I41 of the line I48,.in which is a direct current blocking condenser I49, and a neon tube 58 for short tests. I indicates a short test sensitivity adjustment.

The switch 6Ia is connected by the wire I5I to the switches 62c and 62d through the wire I52 and also to the switch 50d. The switches 62c and 630 are interconnected through the wire I54, while the switches 62d and 63d are interconnected through the wire I55, and switches 63d and 63a are interconnected through wire I61.

The terminals of the sockets 8, 9, I0, I I and I2 are connected as follows: the switch 360 is connected to the terminals I56 by the wire I51. The terminals I58 are connected by the wire I58 to the switch 36d. The wire I60 connects the switch 36c to the terminals I6I. The wire I62 connects the switch 36f to the terminals I63. The wire I64 connects the switch 36g to the terminal I65.

The terminals I68 are connected by the wire I69 to the switch 36a. connected by the wire I1I to the switch 36b. The terminal I12 is connected to the wire I69 in tube socket I2.

The wire I13 is connected to the switch 41, the other side of which is connected to the wire I14 that taps the wire 81.

Thus the circuit consists broadly of sockets for different types of tubes with a bank of circuit selector switches 59 to 63, a bank of control filament switches 36a to 369, a second bank of control filament switches 39 to 430, a third group of switches such as the circuit return switches 46 to 50d to establish a proper return for the cathode and other elements to the transformer secondary and to test shorts and to place other necessary elements at the opposite transformer voltage; a fourth bank of filament voltage selector switches 52 to 55c, and a final group of line voltage selector switches 64 to 12. It also includes a line voltage indicator, 9. good or bad The terminals I10 are lil) indicator, and a short indicator together with a load indicator and adjuster.

The several columns of switch buttons designated 34, 36, 38, 45 and SI in Figure l are arranged directly over the moving scale with its transversely aligned indications for each tube supported directly beneath the column of switches to which the indications refer.

Referring to the modification of the switching mechanism shown in Figures 11 to 14, the various independent switches consist of a button head I15. I16 designates the switch plate which is provided with a marginal notch IT! for receiving the reciprocating locking plate llB that is spring pressed by the plate spring H9 in one direction. The switch plate H6 is provided with a cam I80 which is adapted to ride through the slot IBI in the locking plate I18 and move it backwardly against the spring H9.

When the key is in its depressed position, the plate H8 returns and enters the notch l'l'l to lock the key in its lowered position so that the switch is on. As the movement downwardly of any one of these keys and switch plates I15 and I16 moves the locking plate I18 backwardly, all other depressed keys and switch plates will be released so that they can move upwardly under the impetus of the spring I82 which is supported upon the support 183.

This same result is accomplished by pressing the master release button l84 which forces downwardly its cam releasing plate I85 so that the cam I86 thereof engages the swinging plate [81 which engages the ends of all of the plates I18 across the switchboard. In this way all of the depressed keys and switch plates are unlocked and they return to their home position with the positions open under the influence of the springs I82. This applies to nearly all of the switches. In some instances, a few switches which it is not desired to lock, and a few which it is not desired to unlock each time are not connected to the release shaft. All such buttons would be placed in the same row, or be entirely detached in their normal locking position.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a radio tube testing instrument, a container having a panel, a plurality of push button switches mounted on said panel, and a rotary indicator mounted on said panel having individual indicia thereon in line with the switches so as to indicate the selection of the push button switches as the indicator is rotated.

2. The combination, in a radio tube tester, of a panel with sockets mounted thereon to receive a tube under test, a source of electromotive force,

a plurality of switches on said panel arranged in groups to connect the tube to said source through different electrical circuits depending on the switches which are closed, a movable indicator secured to the panel and having identifying indicia thereon for the type of tube to be tested and the preselected switch in each group to be actuated, a meter connected to said circuits for measuring the current passing through said tube whereby the quality of the tube is determined when the proper circuits are established through said switches.

3. The combination, in a radio tube tester, of a panel with sockets mounted thereon to receive a tube under test, a source of electromotive force, a plurality of switches on said panel arranged in rows to connect the tube to said source through different electrical circuits depending on the switches which are closed, said panel having a cut-away portion in the face thereof, means for supporting and moving an indicating means beneath said cut-away face, said means comprising a roll which carries identifying indicia for the type of tube to be tested and the preselected switch in each row to be actuated for successively establishing connections between said tube and said electrical circuits, said indicia comprising a plurality of reference characters arranged in successive lines along said row, the cut-away portion in said panel being sufficiently small to disclose I only one line of reference characters at a time.

4. The combination, in a radio tube tester, of a panel with sockets mounted thereon to receive a tube under test, a source of electromotive force, a plurality of switches on said panel arranged in rows to connect the tube to said source through different electrical circuits depending on the switches which are closed, a movable indicator secured to the panel and having identifying indicia thereon for the type of tube to be tested and the preselected switch in each row to be actuated, said indicia being in the form of reference characters which are individually arranged directly under that respective row of switches to which the character applies.

5. The combination, in a radio tube tester, of a panel with sockets mounted thereon to receive a tube under test, a source of electromotive force, a plurality of switches on said panel arranged in rows to connect the tube to said source through different electrical circuits depending on the switches which are closed, a movable indicator secured to the panel and having identifying indicia thereon for the type of tube to be tested and the preselected switch in each row to be actuated, said indicia being in the form of reference characters which are individually arranged directly under that respective row of switches to which the character applies, said panel having a cut-away portion for viewing only one series of reference characters on said indicator at a time.

RAY L. 'I'RIPLE'I'I. 

